Catalytic converters reduce and transform exhaust emissions to prevent air pollution from vehicles. A ceramic honeycomb structure was designed to maximize the surface area through which vehicle exhaust passes. The increased surface area makes the catalytic converter more effective due to the additional space made available for the reaction of the catalyst with the exhaust.

Invention Description

Researchers at the University of Toledo have developed a one-step process to produce a high surface area metal foam catalyst that can be coated on a variety of substrates, including ceramic honeycombs. This method allows for tunable viscosity and pore size from metals such as nickel, gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. The resulting liquid can be heated onto a substrate, increasing the surface area to 8-10m2/g.

Applications

• Catalyst for a catalytic converter, fuel cell, or electrolyzer

• Membranes, batteries, sensors, electrodes, filters

Advantages

• One step production process

• Surface area of at least ~8m2/g and up to 10m2/g

• Cost saving - less material required per surface area

• Adjustable viscosity and pore size

• A variety of substrates can be used, such as metals, alloys, plastics or ceramics